The 20 Safest Places to Live in Delaware
Every state across the United States has some areas that have high crime rates and the other neighborhoods that are considered safe. One of the main criteria for many people when choosing an area in which to live is its level of safety. Depending on their lifestyle and needs, they may also consider schools, employment opportunities, amenities, leisure activities, and living costs. Here are the 20 safest places to live in Delaware, along with additional information about living in each area.
20. Seaford
Just making it onto the list of the 20 safest places to live in Delaware is Seaford. It is a town in Sussex County with a population of fewer than eight thousand residents, and it has a dense suburban feel. In terms of crime rates, there were 812 violent crimes and 5,332 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. According to Niche, some of the other great features of this area include its diverse community, its nightlife, the reasonable cost of living, and the range of activities to enjoy in the area. However, it is not the best option for raising a family as the schools are below par, and family-oriented activities are limited. Another negative is that property prices are high.
19. Wilmington
Located in New Castle County, Wilmington is a large town with approximately 71 thousand residents. It has a diverse community and an urban-suburban mix feel. Some of the town’s features are above-average public schools, an affordable cost of living, a vibrant nightlife, an excellent range of outdoor activities, and good transport links. Safety is another bonus of living in Wilmington, with 1,544 violent crimes and 4,921 property crimes a year per one hundred thousand people. On the downside, the job market is not strong, and buying property is expensive.
18. Georgetown
Georgetown is a town and the county seat of Sussex County. Although the town has fewer than eight thousand residents, it has seen a population increase of almost 39 percent in the last decade. It is considered a safe place to live as there were 525 violent crimes in the last year per one hundred thousand people and 5,095 property crimes. The public schools in Georgetown are above average, and some other plus points of this town are the family-oriented activities, the reasonable cost of living, and the diverse community. The downside of living in this area is the lack of nightlife.
17. Milford
In the last year, there were 4,999 property crimes and 752 violent crimes per one hundred thousand people in Milford. It is a town in Sussex County with a population of just under 11 thousand residents. Due to the many advantages of living in this town, it appeals to people from all stages in their life, including families, retirees, and young professionals. The public schools are above average, the community is diverse, employment opportunities are plentiful, and the cost of living in this area is reasonable.
16. Dover
Dover is the capital of Delaware, and it is located in Kent County. Just under 38 thousand people are living in this city. Dover boasts many historic buildings, and there are plenty of attractions to enjoy. Some of these include the Dover International Speedway and multiple museums. The city sits in Delaware Bay, and it is close to the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Although it is a capital city, it has low crime rates compared to most other major cities in the United States. Per one hundred thousand people, there were 796 violent crimes and 4,791 property crimes in the last reporting year. The city has above average schools, a vibrant nightlife, lots of outdoor activities, excellent transport links, and a diverse community.
15. Laurel
Located in Sussex County, Laurel is a town with a population of just over four thousand people that has a sparse suburban feel. A larger proportion of the community rent than own properties. Some of the benefits of living in this town include the low cost of living, the diverse community, and outdoor activities. It is also considered a safe area to live, as there were 978 violent crimes and 4,096 property crimes in the last reporting year from FBI data per one hundred thousand people. However, there are some downsides to living in this area. For example, the transport links are poor, the public schools are not great, and there is a lack of nightlife.
14. Harrington
Fewer than four thousand people live in Harrington, which is a town in Kent County. The residents reported 1,120 violent crimes and 2,869 property crimes per one thousand residents in the last year. According to Niche, Harrington is an area with plenty going for it. There is a diverse community, above-average public schools, a reasonable cost of living, and plenty of activities to enjoy.
13. Camden
Camden is a suburb of the state capital, Dover. One reason that people choose to live in this suburb is the outdoor spaces, including the nearby Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. There are a little over three thousand residents in this small suburb, and the area has a strong community feel. Safety is not a concern for the residents, as there were just 343 violent and 4,146 property crimes per one hundred thousand people in the last year. Camden is popular amongst families due to the excellent public schools and the many family-oriented activities to enjoy. There are also many shops and some excellent restaurants in this area.
12. New Castle
New Castle is a suburb of Philadelphia in New Castle County with more than five thousand residents. It has a dense suburban feel, and it appeals to everyone, from young professionals to retirees. The community is diverse, and there are lots of activities to enjoy. Another appealing feature of this suburb is the affordable cost of living and reasonable property prices. For the last reporting year, FBI data shows that there were 317 violent and 4,186 property crimes per one hundred thousand people.
11. Smyrna
Just missing out on a position in the top ten safest places to live in Delaware is Smyrna, a town in Kent and New Castle Counties with almost 12 thousand residents. Its safety levels are one of the best features of living in this town. Per one hundred thousand people, there were 424 violent crimes and 2,272 property crimes in the last year of FBI data. The community in Smyrna is diverse, and it is considered an affordable place to live.
10. Selbyville
Selbyville is a tiny city in Sussex County with fewer than three thousand residents. While the job opportunities are often what initially attracts people to this area, its safety level is also one of its strong points. In the last year, there were 360 violent and 2,245 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. Selbyville is also considered one of the best cities in Delaware to raise a family.
9. Millsboro
Fewer than five thousand residents are living in Millsboro, which is a town in Sussex County. Interestingly, this town is ranked in the top position for the number of residential permits issued out of all the 25 cities in Sussex County. It is an indicator of population growth in the area. It is the fifth safest place to live in terms of violent crimes and the twelfth safest for property crimes, with 247 and 4,032 per one hundred thousand residents, respectively. It is a nice place to live as there are so many things to see and do in the area, including hanging out on the beach or going on bike rides along the trails.
8. Elsmere
Located just outside Wilmington, Elsmere is a hip neighborhood with a cool vibe. There are only six thousand residents living in this city, and it boasts a friendly community. For each one hundred thousand residents, there were 414 violent crimes and 1,574 property crimes reported in the last year. In addition to the low crime rates, some of the other benefits of living in this city include the highly-rated pubic schools and the plentiful employment opportunities.
7. Clayton
Clayton is a small city in the Kent County close to the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. It has excellent schools, a strong sense of community, and a relaxed suburban feel. There are just over three thousand residents living in this area. One of the reasons the residents love living in this small city is the safety levels. For every one hundred thousand residents in the last reporting year, there were 485 violent crimes and only 879 property crimes. If only property crimes are taken into account, it is the safest city in Delaware.
6. Middletown
Not only is the Middletown one of the safest places to live in Delaware, but The Crazy Tourist also lists it as one of the best places to live in the state overall. It is a small town with approximately 22 thousand residents. There were 286 violent crimes and 1,995 property crimes in the last year. The commutability is good, and there are plenty of restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues. Another plus point of this area is the low cost of living.
5. Newark
There are more than 34 thousand people living in Newark, which is the sixth oldest city in the state. It is a city with more than 34 thousand residents, and there are plenty of things in the area for those who live there to enjoy. The city sits by the creek, so fishing is a popular activity, and the city is known for Rittenhouse Park. In terms of safety, there were 292 violent crimes and 1,949 property crimes. Families flock to this area because it is safe and also because of the highly-rated schools and the diverse range of family activities to enjoy.
4. Lewes
Two of the reasons that residents, of which there are just over three thousand, love living in Lewes are its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its parks. Therefore, it is a wonderful place to live for those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. It is also a great place to live due to its safety. In the last reporting year, there were 223 violent crimes and 2,074 property crimes per one hundred thousand residents. This town in Sussex County has the title of ‘The First Town in the First State.’ This small city sits in Delaware Bay, and it is a popular tourist spot.
3. Bridgeville
Bridgeville is the third safest place in Delaware in terms of both violent and property crimes, with 168 and 1,398 crimes, respectively. It is a town in Sussex County that is known for its wholesome country living and for its attractive open spaces. There is a sense of community with just over two thousand residents and events, such as the Apple-Scrapple Festival taking place throughout the year. The public schools are above average, a diverse community, and a reasonable cost of living.
2. Milton
A close second in the list of the safest places to live in Delaware is Milton, not least because there were zero violent crimes reported in the last reporting year. It means that the village ranks first for violent crimes, although it is only in the fifth position in terms of property crimes with 1,584 a year per capita. Milton is a village in Sussex with almost three thousand residents.
1. Ocean View
According to Home Snacks, the safest place to live in Delaware is Ocean View, and it has been consistently ranked as one of the safest places in the state for many years. This small city is only two miles from the beach has just over two thousand residents. It had only 93 violent crimes and 1,118 property crimes in the last reporting year per one hundred thousand people.
